8 Bit Spaghetti documents Kyle’s project to scratchbuild an 8-bit transistor-transistor logic computer. He’s embarked on the project to teach himself more about how computers work. Judging from the images, this thing is pretty much the definition of “glorious hairball.” Reading Kyle’s notes is a potted textbook on how computers work at the fundamental level
I set out to learn as much as I could about how to build an 8-bit computer and soon found that looking back to the invention of the computer was the way to go. I emailed the creator of the Magic-1 computer to get some advice on where to start. He pointed me to a textbook from the late 70′s: Digital Computer Electronics by Albert Malvino. Without that book this entire project would not have been possible. If you are looking to build your own 8-bit computer I highly recommend purchasing this book. It starts at the bare logic level and moves on up to registers, then counters, then the actual structure and operation of a simple-as-possible computer. My computer that I’m building right now is based on the SAP-1 architecture with some modifications that add needed functionality.
This project would also not be possible without my mentor whose expertise with electrical engineering has proven extremely invaluable in working on my project. I am extremely grateful that he has the patience and generosity to help me with my computer.
(via Make)